The best way to make uninitiated learn or use technology is to demystify and decode it. And that’s what technology giant Google has done in its ‘Back to School’ programme for senior citizens through interesting analogies from everyday life.
Sample some: Internet is like a high quality kitchen knife. All of us are comfortable using it in the kitchen. But little callousness, one can end up cutting their fingers.
“There is nothing to fear about internet or going online to access information, services. Just take basic precautions and Internet becomes your friend,” said Google India Trust and Safety Head Sunitha Mohanty.
“My father was reluctant to use internet because of safety concerns. All I had to do was remind him that he never stopped travelling by bus just because his pocket was picked few times. He became more mindful of how he carried money,” said Google India Trust and Safety Director Saikat Mitra.
It is just getting over inhibitions and start adapting it by taking some precautions, they told the senior citizens turned students as Google celebrated its Foundation Day on its campus here on Monday.
“We all are careful of our belongings in the physical world by keeping them under lock and key. Extend same precautions to the virtual world through safety precautions like strong passwords, not giving away sensitive information like credit card, bank account numbers without checking credentials of individuals or websites,” is the advice.
Once the initial ice was broken, the class of 50 odd parents of Google employees warmed up to the session as the Google team talked of how internet could be harnessed to access organised information, online services, from booking travel tickets, ordering food, online shopping to paying or transferring money.
“Five to 10 years hence, every service will be online and so learn it and be safe. Google is driving the mission to make every Indian access internet and in a safe way,” Ms. Sunitha asserted.
Questions poured on how not to fall prey to online scams, how to protect information stored in smart phones or tablets from falling into wrong hands and how to be wary of fraudulent websites and how to ensure children accessed credible content.
A whole lot of tips were shared by Abhas Tripathi on providing strong passwords, how to locate misplaced or lost phone, through features like ‘Find my phone’, using two-step verification through OTP sent to one’s phone, not to respond to suspicious mails or messages.
Clicking dubious websites and giving personal information may lead to phishing, send information over secure connections indicated by google chrome.
Always download Apps from trusted sources like google play, Microsoft, Apple store.
Always check Google to find rumours and fake messages sent through social media like Whatsapp, Facebook and choose websites with good ratings to do online shopping.
